EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION (ECMO) IN THE NEWBORN - PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Three newborns with severe acute respiratory failure were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after unsuccessful conventional ventilatory and pharmacological therapy. Extracorporeal veno-venous bypass with cannulation of right internal jugular vein was associated to apneic oxygenation and low frequency positive pressure ventilation. All three newborns survived. The mean duration of bypass was 139+/-33 hours, and infants were extubated 148+/-89 hours after decannulation. ECMO with veno-venous bypass associated with apneic oxygenation has been effective for support of newborns with refractory hypoxemia.